Could you work without a smartphone?

[Retroelectric]

Hi all.
Not sure this is the right place to post so will move / delete if needed.
Just wondering if anyone could go back to working with just a standard mobile phone and text messages?
Obviously smartphones can be very useful and I would miss the camera, but just wondering if I could go back to life without one and check whatever needed checking when I got back on my laptop as I used to.
Whats everyone think?
Impossible nowadays?

Obviously I will keep an eye for any replies on my iphone!!!

 

[pc1966]

Could I? Yes, and in some sites it is simply not allowed.
Would I? No, it is just too handy for camera, last-resort internet access, and satnav features.

 

[Marvo]

I have a cellphone that's about 8 years old. The battery doesn't last a full day anymore which suits me fine. I was so excited when I first got it, I thought it would help me manage my time better but it just turned out to be more of a distraction and time waster than anything else. I stopped carrying it after only a few months, started leaving it in the car then leaving it at home. It wasn't even good for pron, the damn screen is too small. I was very disappointed. The only thing I found it useful for was the camera but I went back to carrying a simple digital camera which works well for what I need.

 

[DefyG]

But I think the key is not being a slave to it.

Exactly, don’t be afraid to turn it to silent or even off if you need to concentrate.

 

[ipf]

a pre paid Phone card was an essential bit of kit back in the day incase you didn't have any change on you

Long before Phone cards. 4d cost.
999 calls free, anyway, or you could reverse the charges via the operator for normal calls.

 

[OnlQQker]

Long before Phone cards. 4d cost.
999 calls free, anyway, or you could reverse the charges via the operator for normal calls.

I remember making reverse charges, I'd hear my mum sounding mad as she spoke to the operator to except the charge!

It got to the point where she'd say 'no' to the operator, and the operator would come back and say, 'you're reverse charge has been denied' then I'd ask the operator to pass her on a message.

 

[Mike Johnson]

But who remembers tapping the phone to get a free call?

 

[nicebutdim]

But who remembers tapping the phone to get a free call?

But did that result in a free call? The pulses were exactly the same as if you used a dial phone, so I never bought into the free call idea - remember this was a common rumour prior to the introduction of itemised billing, so how could anyone be certain unless making all calls this way and not being charged for a single call?

 

[DPG]

But did that result in a free call? The pulses were exactly the same as if you used a dial phone, so I never bought into the free call idea - remember this was a common rumour prior to the introduction of itemised billing, so how could anyone be certain unless making all calls this way and not being charged for a single call?

Tapping the hook switch on a home telephone mimicked the pulse dialling that the dial performed. Tapping once, then twice, then three times would dial the speaking clock very easily.

This could still be done in some areas until comparatively recently, until the last of the mechanical (Strowger I think) equipment in the exchanges was ripped out.

Cost was not affected - the system couldn't differentiate between the tapping or dial pulses.

Not sure if there was a similar 'hack' which might work in call boxes though and result in free calls?

 

[timhoward]

Tapping the hook switch on a home telephone mimicked the pulse dialling that the dial performed. Tapping once, then twice, then three times would dial the speaking clock very easily.

This could still be done in some areas until comparatively recently, until the last of the mechanical (Strowger I think) equipment in the exchanges was ripped out.

Cost was not affected - the system couldn't differentiate between the tapping or dial pulses.

Not sure if there was a similar 'hack' which might work in call boxes though and result in free calls?

Spot on - but the phones in supermarkets to pickup and auto-dial a taxi could be 'confused' into making a free call if you were patient enough to play the game!

 

[Mike Johnson]

But did that result in a free call? The pulses were exactly the same as if you used a dial phone, so I never bought into the free call idea - remember this was a common rumour prior to the introduction of itemised billing, so how could anyone be certain unless making all calls this way and not being charged for a single call?

Yes from a telephone box.

 

[ipf]

But did that result in a free call? The pulses were exactly the same as if you used a dial phone, so I never bought into the free call idea - remember this was a common rumour prior to the introduction of itemised billing, so how could anyone be certain unless making all calls this way and not being charged for a single call?

I can't remember it FROM phone box because once the line was broken you had to press the 'A' button and wait for the coins to drop but you could to call back phone booth from landline....don't think it was free, though.